Arterial motives

Students find reasons to give blood

Cookies, orange juice, shirts and the satisfaction of saving someone's life are the rewards blood donors got Tuesday at the De Soto community blood drive.

The De Soto High School Student Council was the host of the annual event at the school.

Student council sponsor Adrianne Graham said the blood drive was part of the student council's monthly service project and was conducted in conjunction with the Community Blood Center. She said it could not have come at a better time.

"We had spoken with the blood drive people and they said there was a shortage of blood, and they said the high school would be a good place to do it," Graham said.

Community Blood Center registration worker Valerie McGriff said blood is needed at this time of the year.

"We try to get as much blood as we can," McGriff said. "We are kind of low right now because of the holidays and high schools weren't in session."

De Soto High School athletic director Roy Hawley said donating blood was important, and he was donating so he could be a good role model for his students.

"I know they have a need for blood, especially during the winter," Hawley said. "I donate here every year. It's pretty simple and painless. I've never had any bad affects."

Senior Megan Gardner, 17, said although she had apprehensions prior to giving blood for the first time, it was the right decision.

"I'm not using all of it, I suppose, so anyone I can help is great," Gardner said.

Senior Heather Kline, 17, said she had personal reasons to support the drive.

"My sister has Crohn's disease, and she was in the hospital," Kline said. "She had to have a blood transfusion last year. I just think it's important because there were some times when they were afraid they wouldn't get any blood for her."

Some students donated their time instead of blood to help the cause. Sophomore Trisha Roberts, 16, was too young to donate, so she helped run the food and drink station.

McGriff said the blood collected from the blood drive would get processed immediately.

"It's going to get processed and tested, and put in a storage distribution area in hospitals," McGriff said.